DTTBLIlf H ATITEA L HTCTORT SOCIBTT. 1 3 1 



5. The floander (Platessa flessns). This fish formerW, b«fore the erection of 

 Haigh's Weir, used to bo quite eomraon all along the fair-green. The erection 

 of this weir confined them to the portion of the river below it, so that the onl j 

 specimen I know of as having been taken in Donnybrook was a small one, about 

 tne size of a crown-piece, taken by teeming a hole, after a flood, just below where 

 the wooden-bridge stands. Within the last year the weir to which I allude has 

 been removed, and flounders are now taken up as far as Ball's Bridge. 



6 and 7. Both sharp-nosed and blunt-nosed eels (Anguilla acutirostris and 

 A. latirostris) may be taken at any time, but especially after the early au- 

 ttimnal floods. They grow as large as from 2^ lbs. to 3 lbs. weight. 



8. The rudd (Leuciscus erythrophthalmus). These used to be very common 

 in the lower parts of the stream below Rathfamham ; but, a few years since, 

 owing to the deleterious effects of the waste waters from some mills, they became 

 very scarce. They are, however, becoming plentiful again, and on a fine sunny 

 day may be seen in shoals in many parts of the stream, especially below Anglesea 

 Bridge, playing on the top of the waters. They seldom grow larger than 6 to 9 

 inches ; they abound in the pond attached to Rochford's iron- works at Clon- 

 skeagh, but are rather shy of taking bait. The lower orders call them perch. 

 I have great doubt as to their being indigenous ia this river, and am rather in- 

 clined to think that they, as well as the next, have found their way into these 

 waters from the canal which joins this river at Ringsend. 



9. The perch (Perca fiuviatilis). As stated just now, I have strong doubts 

 of the claim of this fish to be considered a native of this river ; however, there is 

 gfood proof that it has been found here for the last twenty years. The only 

 places I know of its having been captured in are three : — Rochford's Pond, 

 where, as I have been credibly informed, a fish weighing 6 lbs. had been taken 

 tome years ago, and where I have seen fish of nearly a pound weight captured 

 in I8fi0 ; in the bed of the river just above the weir which supplies the Donny- 

 broc^ saw mills ; and just below Anglesea Bridge ; 1 myself introduced nine 

 perch, of from a half to a quarter of a pound in weight, as an experiment, into 

 the last- mentioned locality in 1849. They throve and bred, as I saw them 

 about the place where I had liberated them, in 1850, but I have not seen them 

 since, and have not been able to find out anything more of them. [Seen again 

 by me in 1858.— J. R. K.] 



Whatever doubts there may be as to whether any of the above-named fi^ 

 have been introduced, there can be none, I think, concerning those to which I am 

 now about to allude, the gudgeon and minnow. 



10. The gudgeon (Gobio fluviatilis) was introduced into the Dodder from the 

 Swords River, about twenty years ago, by a fisher who, living in Dublin, dis- 

 liked the trouble of going so far for bait. Such, at least, was the account 1 got 

 of the matter, and, from inquiries made, I believe it to be true. They now abso- 

 lutely swarm in the river, growing often to the length of 10 inches. I have never 

 seen them above Templeogue. 



11. The minnow T Leuciscus phoxinus). This, as I have stated before, was 

 introduced with the last, and, like it, now swarms in certain parts of the 

 stream. The largest I have seen were taken just below Classon's Bridge, near 

 Miltown. Some specimens were as much as 4 inches in length. The capture of 

 these a»d the last-mentioned fish, for bait for anglers, affords employment for 

 throe or four men during the summer months. 



This concludes the list of the Dodder Fish, exclusive of marine species, 

 many of which are found at its mouth tide-way ; but as I have never had an op- 

 portunity of examining them, I have preferred passing them over altogether, to 

 giving details of the truth of which I was not certain. I have also been told of 

 a pike that had his lair below Clonskeagh Bridge, but as I never could satisfy 

 myself of his existence, I have omitted him altogether, although I do not see 

 Why a stray jack might not make his way up this river from the Grand Canal. 



This concludes my notes ; and, imperfect in many respects as thev are, I 

 have been induced to lay them before your Society, first, in the hope of drawing 



